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    Controlled Variables

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    shreedharkolekar
    Controlled variables are factors that must remain constant in an experiment in order to isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. A failure to properly control variables can compromise the internal validity of an experiment and lead to confounding variables invalidating the results. Researchers must identify and standardize all controlled variables to eliminate their influence and ensure only the independent variable is being tested. This includes monitoring for small variations and using techniques like randomization, double blind experiments, control groups, and statistical analysis to account for natural fluctuations that are difficult to fully control. Paying close attention to controlled variables is crucial for drawing accurate conclusions about causality from an experiment.

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    Controlled Variables

    Uploaded by

    shreedharkolekar
    133 views2 pages
    Controlled variables are factors that must remain constant in an experiment in order to isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. A failure to properly control variables can compromise the internal validity of an experiment and lead to confounding variables invalidating the results. Researchers must identify and standardize all controlled variables to eliminate their influence and ensure only the independent variable is being tested. This includes monitoring for small variations and using techniques like randomization, double blind experiments, control groups, and statistical analysis to account for natural fluctuations that are difficult to fully control. Paying close attention to controlled variables is crucial for drawing accurate conclusions about causality from an experiment.

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    Controlled variables are factors that must remain constant in an experiment in order to isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. A failure to properly control variables can compromise the internal validity of an experiment and lead to confounding variables invalidating the results. Researchers must identify and standardize all controlled variables to eliminate their influence and ensure only the independent variable is being tested. This includes monitoring for small variations and using techniques like randomization, double blind experiments, control groups, and statistical analysis to account for natural fluctuations that are difficult to fully control. Paying close attention to controlled variables is crucial for drawing accurate conclusions about causality from an experiment.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    133 views2 pages

    Controlled Variables

    Uploaded by

    shreedharkolekar
    Controlled variables are factors that must remain constant in an experiment in order to isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. A failure to properly control variables can compromise the internal validity of an experiment and lead to confounding variables invalidating the results. Researchers must identify and standardize all controlled variables to eliminate their influence and ensure only the independent variable is being tested. This includes monitoring for small variations and using techniques like randomization, double blind experiments, control groups, and statistical analysis to account for natural fluctuations that are difficult to fully control. Paying close attention to controlled variables is crucial for drawing accurate conclusions about causality from an experiment.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    Controlled variables are variables that is sometimes overlooked by

    researchers, but it is usually far more important than the dependent or


    independent variables.
    A failure to isolate the controlled variables, in any experimental design, will seriously compromise
    the internal validity. This oversight may lead to confounding variablesruining the experiment, wasting
    time and resources, and damaging the researcher's reputation.
    In any experimental design, a researcher will be manipulating one variable, theindependent variable,
    and studying how that affects the dependent variables.

    A failure to isolate the controlled variables will compromise the internal validity.
    Most experimental designs measures only one or two variables at a time. Any other factor, which
    could potentially influence the results, must be correctly controlled. Its effect upon the results must
    be standardized, or eliminated, exerting the same influence upon the different sample groups.
    For example, if you were comparing cleaning products, the brand of cleaning product would be the
    only independent variable measured. The level of dirt and soiling, the type of dirt or stain, the
    temperature of the water and the time of the cleaning cycle are just some of the variables that must
    be the same between experiments. Failure to standardize even one of these controlled
    variables could cause a confounding variable and invalidate the results.

    Control Groups
    In many fields of science, especially biology and behavioral sciences, it is very difficult to ensure
    complete control, as there is a lot of scope for small variations.
    Biological processes are subject to natural fluctuations and chaotic rhythms. The key is to use
    established operationalization techniques, such as randomization anddouble blind experiments.
    These techniques will control and isolate these variables, as much as possible. If this proves difficult,
    a control group is used, which will give a baseline measurement for the unknown variables.
    Sound statistical analysis will then eliminate these fluctuations from the results. Most statistical
    tests have a certain error margin built in, and repetition and large sample groups will eradicate the
    unknown variables.
    There still needs to be constant monitoring and checks, but due diligence will ensure that the
    experiment is as accurate as is possible.

    The Value of Consistency


    Controlled variables are often referred to as constants, or constant variables.

    It is important to ensure that all these possible variables are isolated, because a type III error may
    occur if an unknown factor influences thedependent variable. This is where the null hypothesis is
    correctly rejected, but for the wrong reason.
    In addition, inadequate monitoring of controlled variables is one of the most common causes of
    researchers wrongly assuming that a correlation leads to causality.
    Controlled variables are the road to failure in an experimental design, if not identified and
    eliminated. Designing the experiment with controls in mind is often more crucial than determining
    the independent variable.
    Poor controls can lead to confounding variables, and will damage the internal validityof the
    experiment.

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